The 37-year-old, perhaps better known as the “King of Park Hill” or “Mr. Big Shot,” averaged 15 points and 5.4 assists over his career, while also earning five All-Star selections, an NBA championship and a Finals MVP award.

He also played with seven different NBA teams throughout his career, one of which was the Los Angeles Clippers. Billups signed with L.A. as a free agent in December of 2011 after being waived by the Knicks.

The veteran guard was reluctant to join any team that wasn’t a title contender, and at the time, the Clippers were among the farthest things from contenders.

“I’m a winner, and I want to win at any cost and I don’t have 10 more years to play,” Billups told the L.A. Times. “I want to take advantage of my years. And what I thought the Clippers were, I wanted no part of.”

But then the Clippers traded for Chris Paul. The team laid out its plan with Paul running the point and Billups shifting to the two-guard, and Billups was sold. And so was Paul.

“Having Chauncey on the court gives me much more confidence and the chance sometimes to work without the ball while he plays point guard,” Paul told the Times. “That makes the game that much more fun.”
Billups stayed in L.A. for about a year-and-a-half, but played in only 42 games because of injuries. His effect on Paul, however, has endured.

Tuesday evening, shortly after news broke of Billups’ retirement, Paul took to Instagram to share his thoughts on his former teammate. Along with the image above, he wrote:

Welllll, let me start by saying that I usually don’t get too emotional when it comes to former opponents or even teammates, but this one is a lil different!” Paul wrote. “I was blessed and fortunate to be born with an amazing big brother who everyone knows already. But early in my career when I began to have what they call “NBA family”, I was blessed with another big brother! In a league that’s filled with fierce competition and unfortunately at times jealousy, a veteran guard took me under his wing and told me and showed me what it means to be a professional and to ALWAYS help the next guy coming up behind you. One of the highlights of my career was the night that I found out I would get to play along side of Chaunce! I could go on and on talkin about this guy but I’ll end by saying THANK YOU BIG SHOT!!! And I would love to be there whenever the Hall of Fame Ceremony is! #MrBigShot #1 #ParkHill #Bbbbbbillups #MuchLoveFollowing

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.